Genre as Temporally Situated Social Action

Written Communication Jan 2000

Genre as Temporally Situated Social Action

PATRICIA L. DUNMIRE

Abstract

Rhetorical studies of genre have investigated the complex relationships between a range of genre activities and their social, historical, and institutional contexts. However, the temporal dimensions of these contexts require further specification and explicit examination. This article offers a first step toward conceptualizing the temporal dimensions of rhetorical contexts and considering the interplay between those dimensions and genre activity. First, the author reviews how temporality has figured in rhetorical studies of genre through the notions of kairos and temporal exigence. She then presents two models of time, “clock time” and “process time,” as a means for representing the temporal dimensions of rhetorical contexts and genre activity. Finally, the author examines the interplay between these temporal models and genre by analyzing a nurse practitioner's communicative interaction with two patients. By conceptualizing and examining the relationship between time and genre, this article adds to our understanding of genre as situated social action.

Journal: Written Communication
Published: 2000-01-01
DOI: 10.1177/0741088300017001004
Open Access: Closed
Topics: multimodality argument

Citation Context

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Cites in this index (1)

SCHRYER (1993)

Records as Genre

Written Communication

Also cites 13 works outside this index ↓

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CrossRef global citation count: 13 View in citation network →